Positive start for Sunday Park and Ride services

Leeds� pre-Christmas Sunday service at Elland Road Park and Ride got off to a positive start on its first weekend.

LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District) is funding Park and Ride services between the 800-space facility and Leeds city centre as part of its Christmas in Leeds art, light and magic trail. Buses run every 10 minutes between 10.30am and 5.30pm on Sundays 4, 11 and 18 December, with the first service leaving Elland Road at 10:30am and the last departure from stop T9 on Boar Lane at 5:30pm. Tickets cost �3 and all MCards and ENCTS passes are valid on the services.

LeedsBID Chief Executive Andrew Cooper said: �We are pleased to hear that the first Sunday opening went well, with people using the services to travel to and from the city centre quickly, comfortably and conveniently, without the need to hunt for a parking space.�Cllr Keith Wakefield, West Yorkshire Combined Authority�s Transport Chair said: �I am delighted there was such a good response on the first Sunday of services, with 115 people using the service which is a similar number of users to the well-established Saturday services.

�I am sure the numbers will grow over the next two week as word gets around how much easier and more pleasant Parking and Riding by bus at Elland Road is than queuing and searching by car in the city centre.�

Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said: �Christmas shopping can be stressful enough in itself so I�m pleased we have been able to extend Elland Road Park and ride service to Sundays in the busy run-up to Christmas.�

Will Pearson, Business Manager at First Leeds, said: �I�m delighted that given the chance to use the award-winning Elland Road Park & Ride on a Sunday, so many people are choosing the hassle-free option.

The usual Elland Road Park and Ride service runs every 10 minutes, Monday to Saturday, with journeys to and from the city centre taking just 10 minutes. Tickets cost just �3 per day and there is a 10% discount when customers buy five or more tickets. Smartcards are available at the on-site kiosk, and there is no time limit on tickets.�

Leeds BID (Business Improvement District) is a five-year project launched in April 2015, which includes over 950 businesses in the LS1 and LS2 postcodes. Its aims are to raise standards, awareness and provide a warm welcoming city through its members working in partnership and speaking with one voice.